The Holy Father’s Remarks About Islam
Pastoral Message aired on KNXT-TV during October 2006
Bishop John T. Steinbock
On September 12, Our Holy Father, while on a pastoral visit to Germany, gave an academic lecture in a University to representatives of science. The title of his address was “Faith, Reason and the University.” It is six pages long, single spaced, but one quotation of the Holy Father, taken from a 14th century emperor in dialogue with a Muslim Scholar, has ignited the anger of many throughout the Muslim world.
Needless to say, the quotation has been taken out of context and is being used by some Muslim leaders to inflame their followers against the Holy Father, against Christianity, and against the West. It is interesting to note that the Holy Father in his address at the University is calling for the great Religions of the World, inspired by Faith and Reason, to enter into a dialogue of cultures, and is using the 14th century dialogues of the Emperor with a Muslim Scholar to show that dialogue is possible even in the most difficult of times.
By using the particular quote that has inflamed so many, the Holy Father was trying to emphasize that it is not reasonable for any Religion, Islamic or Christian, or any other Religion, to use force and violence to spread one’s faith. Our Holy Father even emphasizes in his lecture regarding this particular quote of the fourteenth century emperor “the startling brusqueness, a brusqueness that leaves us astounded”, which shows that he himself is not in agreement with the quote.
The main emphasis of his lecture is not about Islam. He is mainly criticizing the way Western civilization is taking faith out of political, technological, cultural and social life, stating, “a reason which is deaf to the divine and which relegates religion into the realm of subcultures is incapable of entering into the dialogue of cultures.” Here he is emphasizing the importance to have dialogue, based on both faith and reason, if we hope to work towards peace and understanding in this world. There is no hope for dialogue to lead to true peace and understanding, if God and Faith are separated from the social, cultural and political context of one’s life, which is happening so much in Western Europe.
Our Holy Father has expressed his extreme sorrow for the reactions against the one solitary quotation of his, which was considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims. He stated specifically, as he expressed in the context of his academic lecture also, that this quote did not express his personal thoughts. Sad to say, many leaders who are led by political agendas have sought to stir up the flames of hatred and prejudice, by taking this quote out of its context.
Let us give thanks to God for the vast majority of Muslims throughout the world, and here in our own community, who also are saddened by this violent reaction, and, who inspired by their faith seek to live in peace with all peoples. The current controversy will not shake the Islamic-Catholic relationship that has been so strong in so many places throughout the world, including here in our own Valley, as well as in the life and ministry of Benedict XVI. The Muslim communities here in the Central Valley, together with the many other Faiths, have built a relationship of mutual respect and have maintained a dialogue of respect, understanding and friendship. We are all children of the One God, who would have all his children live in peace as brothers and sisters. God bless you all and let us pray for our Holy Father whom I am sure will be a lot more careful in his selection of quotes in the future. Blessings to all.